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I took a short test-drive in the 335 sport line and I'm still undecided on whether I like this car or not. For background, I have an 04 zhp, before that an e39 530, before that 99 328.

The F30 is similar in many dimensions (though shorter), and I've read where it's compared to E39. For reference, I HATED the E39. Felt like a barge next to the E46. I'm very afraid that I'll make the same mistake twice if I give my zhp to my son and buy myself an F30 M-sport.

Anyone share this concern? I've also considered the 135, but to me it seems significantly smaller than an E46 sedan even though the dimensions are not too far off.

The F30 is similar in many dimensions (though shorter), and I've read where it's compared to E39. For reference, I HATED the E39. Felt like a barge next to the E46. I'm very afraid that I'll make the same mistake twice if I give my zhp to my son and buy myself an F30 M-sport.

We've been visited by several other E46 owners who feel that the F30 is too big and the 1 Series is too small. I'll save you the debate and the drama and tell you what happens:

You'll be upset, we'll advise you to give it a try, you'll tell us its impossoble for you to warm up to it, we'll tell you BMW knows what it's doing, you'll tell us you're visiting Audi, we'll tell you that's a waste of time, you'll tell us you 'reluctantly' ordered an F30 and you know you'll hate it, and then you'll come back after a week of driving it and tell us how much you love it.

We've been visited by several other E46 owners who feel that the F30 is too big and the 1 Series is too small. I'll save you the debate and the drama and tell you what happens:

You'll be upset, we'll advise you to give it a try, you'll tell us its impossoble for you to warm up to it, we'll tell you BMW knows what it's doing, you'll tell us you're visiting Audi, we'll tell you that's a waste of time, you'll tell us you 'reluctantly' ordered an F30 and you know you'll hate it, and then you'll come back after a week of driving it and tell us how much you love it.

BJ

While this could be very true, I've got an eye on the upcoming Audi A3. It will be sold in the US as a sedan, and will be sized along the lines of the original A4 or an E46. Unless BMW gets off their butts and does something with a 1 or 2 Series, Audi may get a leg up on the compact sport sedan market!

Currently feel the same way..have an e92 that feels too big, hated the f30 and 1 seems to small. Want a modern e46!

Quote:

Originally Posted by OBS3SSION

While this could be very true, I've got an eye on the upcoming Audi A3. It will be sold in the US as a sedan, and will be sized along the lines of the original A4 or an E46. Unless BMW gets off their butts and does something with a 1 or 2 Series, Audi may get a leg up on the compact sport sedan market!

It's a bigger car, no way around it.

3 inches wider.
6 inches longer.
1/2 inch taller.

It weighs less, goes faster, gets better mileage, looks better, is chock-full of tech, and is far more comfortable to drive, so that doesn't suck.

I think a lot of people here on the 'Fest would like the 3 series to stop getting larger and loose some lbs. When I went from an e46 to an e93 it did seem bigger (it is of course) but not so much that it was an issue. On paper the F30 looks too big, but it does drive smaller. For me the ideal would be between the e46 and e93. Of course that won't happen and when the time comes I'm sure I will get use to the F3x 3 series. Unless the cafe make it impossible to get 335 type power. That is a deal braker for me. I have to agree, the 1 series isn't too small, it is just too ugly. N4S

" Is this a shifter car? I cannot drive a shifter car, alright, so we got a little situation here. I can't drive these kinda cars! What the **** is goin' on! You think that's funny? Would you like to know, smart@#$? Would you like to know why I can't drive this kinda car? I'll tell you why, I'm used to *luxury* cars. Have you ever heard of a luxury car? You know what luxury means? Ever heard of Cadillac? Cadillac Eldorado? That's what I drive. I drive cars that *shift* themselves. "

That does but 21k for an 8 year old car that was 44-45k brand new? A typical 330i from 2005 is going for 11-12k. Love ZHP and apparently it was a solid investment had I kept mine but it's hard to stomach paying twice the going rate for a car.

That does but 21k for an 8 year old car that was 44-45k brand new? A typical 330i from 2005 is going for 11-12k. Love ZHP and apparently it was a solid investment had I kept mine but it's hard to stomach paying twice the going rate for a car.

You said you couldn't find one which was well kept. With 58K miles it may very well have been kept up well. And for that, and given it's a ZHP, you're going to have to pay a premium. A 330i is not a 330i ZHP...you're comparing a model which sold in large numbers (relatively speaking) to one that sold in small numbers. Furthermore the $21K is the asking price. You can probably negotiate it down somewhat. So it doesn't appear that you can't find a well-kept ZHP...it's that you're unable to find a well-kept ZHP for the price of an average 330i.

You said you couldn't find one which was well kept. With 58K miles it may very well have been kept up well. And for that, and given it's a ZHP, you're going to have to pay a premium. A 330i is not a 330i ZHP...you're comparing a model which sold in large numbers (relatively speaking) to one that sold in small numbers. Furthermore the $21K is the asking price. You can probably negotiate it down somewhat. So it doesn't appear that you can't find a well-kept ZHP...it's that you're unable to find a well-kept ZHP for the price of an average 330i.

I didn't notice this but someone else did...it's automatic. Might as well not exist.

I'm keeping my E46 as my daily driver but when we go on a weekend trip, guess which car is used - the F30 just feels and is more comfortable for longer drives. Interesting side note, it takes me about 1 1/2 times as long to wash the F30 as it takes for the E46 - just more nooks and crannies to wipe down.

BJ, thanks for the humorous response. You're probably spot on, only that I won't go to Audi in the process. I will probably either buy it with trepidation or keep the zhp and buy my son something else.

Really would like some feedback from someone with significant seat time in E46 and 39, and now owns an F30. If they can sell me I'd feel a lot better.

I saw that post with the dimensions before and that's what initially scared me off. I hear what you're saying but looks are subjective and in my biased opinion I think my BSM on black zhp is still a striking-looking car and I never tire of it. Also not a big tech guy so I view that as a negative. I'm not looking for comfortable, that's why i hated the E39.

gotta say that A3 sedan is appealing, but shudder at the thought of buying a first model year Audi even though the A3 hatch has been out a while.

I saw that post with the dimensions before and that's what initially scared me off. I hear what you're saying but looks are subjective and in my biased opinion I think my BSM on black zhp is still a striking-looking car and I never tire of it. Also not a big tech guy so I view that as a negative. I'm not looking for comfortable, that's why i hated the E39.

gotta say that A3 sedan is appealing, but shudder at the thought of buying a first model year Audi even though the A3 hatch has been out a while.

Agree. The ZHP is still among the best looking/driving 3 series sedans ever. I tried for months to get into a good used ZHP and finally gave up as owners had an inflated view of worth v. repairs needed. Still if someone put a decent mileage 2004/2005 6MT ZHP sedan with leather in San Diego for about 15-16k, I'd bite. All I see locally are 17-20k offerings.

The F30 may post better numbers on paper but in terms of driving feel, it's a big ole luxo cruiser in comparison. And visually it's just bland.